This process was covered in a blog post at the end of last year [2016], however electric, mechanical and paperwork issues with the newly converted D stock sandite trains has meant that the A stock was reprieved for the 2017 season. The set, 5110-5111, was to be kept as a strategic spare for the 2017 leaf fall season but it was never intended to be used.
This year, like last, IS expected to be the last year for the A. This year should in fact, baring a substantial change in events, the very last for the A as it cannot be operation beyond Spring 2018 due to needing a massive and costly overhaul. For London Underground to keep the set active beyond this time they would have to heavily invest in the unit, at a time when they are already investing loads into its replacement.
I wrote a similar blog post around this time last year which covered the switch from A stock to D stock, which at time of writing had not taken place (From A to D but not via C: http://wltmauc.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/from-to-d-but-not-via-c.html), so this post will purely act as a pictorial summary of really does appear [and in fact did turn out] to be the Metropolitan line's A Stock farewell!
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| DM 5111 brings the RAT into Rayners Lane early on in October. © Tommy Cooling |
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| Later the same day, 5111 is seen heading the train through Pinner. © Tommy Cooling |
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| 5111 passes through Harrow, the unofficial home of the Met heading for Neasden in mid-October. © Tommy Cooling |
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| 5111 on the approach to Hillingdon at dusk in late October. © Tommy Cooling |
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| In early November, 5110 is seen leading into Harrow. © Tommy Cooling |
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| 5110 heads into a seasonal looking Pinner following the December snow fall, on what turned out to be its last day in service. © Tommy Cooling |
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| 5110 pausing at Uxbridge, on what turned out to be its last visit. © Tommy Cooling |
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| 5110 shunting from the siding at Harrow sporting an appropriate destination, kindly staged for the photo. © Tommy Cooling |
STOP PRESS
On Monday 11th December the unit developed a fault, and upon subsequent inspection at Neasden, turned out to be a significant and costly motor issue. The decision was made from high up within London Underground that the unit would not be repaired and so on Wednesday 13th, A Stock 5110+5111 was officially withdrawn from service after 55 years, and the 2017 RAT season on the Met was terminated.
Two five-car D Stock units will run on the Met for leaf-fall from 2018, one operational unit and a spare back-up.
Post by Tommy Cooling
Some of these images and more can be found on my Flickr page:
Some of these images and more can be found on my Flickr page:
Please do not reproduce any of my images without permission
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